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Early RepublicReconstruction & Gilded Age

Lackawanna Ranch

Hillsboro, Hill County, Texas

Marker Inscription

Dr. John S. Scofield (1826-1901) chose the Indian name "Lackawanna" for the 2500 acre tract of land he bought here in 1858. After moving with his family from Kentucky, he served Hill County as a doctor and county judge. Later he was a director and vice-president of Sturgis National Bank. Dr. Scofield introduced shorthorn cattle to this area. His son, Frank (1887-1974), who inherited this part of the ranch in 1901, raised prize-winning shorthorns. After the first house on this site burned, the present structure was built in 1917. The Lackawanna Ranch was purchased in 1945 by E. G. Murphree.

Erected by Texas Historical Commission

The Story

Dr. John S. Scofield gave the Indian name "Lackawanna" to the 2,500-acre tract he bought here in 1858 after moving from Kentucky, serving Hill County as a doctor and county judge. He introduced shorthorn cattle to the area, and his son Frank raised prize-winning shorthorns on the inherited ranch. After the first house burned, the present structure was built in 1917, and the ranch was sold in 1945.

Why it matters

The Lackawanna Ranch reflects the frontier ranchers who built Central Texas by pairing improved livestock with community leadership.

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Related people

  • · John S. Scofield
  • · Frank Scofield

Themes & tags

Westward ExpansionIndustry & InventionFrontier HistoryLandmark

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